ergonomia en oficina

In their 2004 report, "Demographics and the Global Office Market," D. Brounen and P. Eichholtz found that at least 50% of the world's population currently works in some form of office. It's no surprise, then, that human factors and office ergonomics research would become increasingly more important as we move into the future. It has been estimated that at least 2% of the American workforce suffers some sort of work-related musculoskeletal disorder each year, costing companies exorbitant amounts of money in lost wages, worker's comp and insurance premiums. Some estimates range as high as $45-$55 billion for these expenses. Ergonomic design is perhaps the best defense we have against these escalating costs.

Office related ergonomics began to be explored in the 1950s and 1960s, when the Quickborner Team led by Eberhard and Wolfgang Schnelle looked at ways to add more open spaces and seat everyone in a more collaborative seating arrangement. Standard desks and chairs were used, but large potted plants, visual barriers, irregular geometric floor plans and circulation patterns were added to the mix. Despite this creative approach, the sea of cubicles we see today soon gained favor.

Today, people largely spend more of their time interacting with computers than with individuals in the workplace, so ergonomic research largely focuses on the type of tasks, movements and injuries people face in their day-to-day jobs in hopes of devising product designs and computer workstations that will minimize work stress and boost productivity.

Lighting is another key factor in office ergonomics. One study found that the following ergonomic guidelines should be implemented: a mixture of direct lighting (60%) and indirect lighting (40%); desktop illumination in a 20:1 ratio with the surrounding light; windows with glare control; adjustable blinds or shades; and a uniform ratio of average luminance between VDT screens and other vertical surfaces. The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America recommends maximum luminance ratios of 1:3 or 3:1 between central task materials and surrounding light. To the average management team, these figures can be confusing, which highlights the need for ergonomics consultants who specialize in productivity and process improvement.

Seating is also an important part of office ergonomics, since most work-related injuries involve the back and neck. People focused on ergonomic product design look at how hip rotation, posture of the lumbar spine and tissue pressure all interact to cause certain lower back disorders. Research shows that unsupported lordosis (no contact with the lumbar support, yet reclining against the upper seat back) may increase lower back pain. This is why many chairs feature slightly curved padding in the lower back region. Furthermore, the hip angle is increased to avoid unnecessary pressure beneath the thighs. While foam padding and mesh material have been popular in many office chairs, recent data suggests that more expensive gel technologies are needed to diminish long-term discomfort.

Office ergonomics is extremely important for one's health and wellbeing, reports the Wall Street Journal. "You don't work on a 1998 computer, do you?" implores Dr. Alan Hedge, a Cornell University professor of ergonomics. "I hate to see people in bad chairs." Dr. David Brandenburg, a UCLA certified ergonomist, says people need to have both feet on the floor and sit straight -- but not too straight or they will put too much pressure on the lumbar region of the back. While adjustable ergonomic seating has been around for a while, Dr. Brandenburg says the adjustable desk is gaining favor now too. "The standard 29 to 30 inch desk is way too high for women," explains Brandenburg. "It was designed for 18-year-old men in World War II who were typing." According to the WSJ, Knoll's "Generation" and Humanscale's "Different World" take ergonomics to a new level with multiple seat components conforming to your body.

ergonomia en oficina

ergonomia en el trabajo

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